Technology in the classroom has come a long way from the days of overhead projectors and chalkboards. (Can you imagine life without an interactive whiteboard anymore?) Today, digital tools are revolutionising how students learn, how teachers teach, and how schools operate.
For all the talk about the negative impacts of technology on students (and even teacher jobs), it’s sometimes easy to overlook the amazing benefits that digital tech is bringing to the learning experience. The age of edtech is shaping the future of education in ways we could only dream of a decade ago. Here are several of the most impactful changes tech is bringing to education.
Gone are the days when group projects meant huddling around a single piece of paper or arguing over who gets to write on the whiteboard. In secondary schools, digital tools like Canva, Photoshop, Google Docs, and Microsoft Teams, allow students to collaborate in real time regardless of where they are.
Secondary students who have access to these tools in the classroom are better able to develop crucial teamwork and communication skills. When students use a shared design tool to create a presentation, they’re not just learning about graphic design. They’re also negotiating ideas, delegating tasks and problem-solving together.
These tools not only allow students to work together on projects easily but also provide lasting benefits for their future careers, too. By using these platforms, students get a taste of real-world working environments, where these tools are commonplace. This is a vital benefit as they move towards higher education and, eventually, the workforce.
Every student learns differently, and edtech is finally helping teachers tailor education to individual needs at both primary and secondary school level. The best AI-powered learning platforms can track student progress, helping teachers identify their strengths and weaknesses, so they can adjust lessons to suit their abilities.
For example, some apps use AI to analyse student performance and suggest areas that need improvement. Instead of waiting for an end-of-term report, teachers get real-time data that helps them provide extra support where it’s needed most.
DfE’s 2022-23 survey showed 55% of teachers say technology is helping them track pupil progress ‘quite well’, whilst 32% said it helped them do so ‘extremely well’. Using edtech in this way enables teachers to achieve a balance that can sometimes be elusive: ensuring that no student is left behind, whilst high achievers can be further challenged.
In addition, automated reporting tools can help teachers cut down on admin work. Instead of manually compiling reports, teachers can use AI to complete them quicker, freeing up more time for actual teaching. After all, isn’t that why we love being in education in the first place?
According to a 2020-2021 DfE survey, 88% of headteachers and 84% of teachers believed technology had or would contribute to improved pupil attainment.
The same survey reported that 74% of headteachers and 65% of teachers indicated that technology had already contributed or would contribute to reduced workload. And teachers have noted time savings in collaborating with their colleagues, along with tracking student progress and lesson planning. This also has a positive impact on attracting teachers to our profession, with ECT’s fully immersed in the tech world.
The benefits have spread outside of classrooms, too. That survey also notes headteachers found technology saved time on tasks such as parent engagement, financial management and managing student data.
Remember how exciting it was when a teacher wheeled in a TV for an educational video? Now, imagine stepping inside that video. That’s what Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) bring to the classroom.
Whilst use of VR and AR tech is still relatively low across primary and secondary schools in the UK, we expect to see even greater integration as the technology becomes more affordable and sophisticated.
AR has immense potential in bring interactive 3D models to life, helping students visualise complex concepts in subjects like science and history. In the near future, we could see VR-powered history lessons and immersive language learning environments, which could open up student learning capabilities and stimulate their imagination in unprecedented ways. All without leaving the classroom!
Whilst technology brings plenty of benefits to education, it’s not without its challenges. Screen fatigue, digital distractions, and accessibility issues can all impact learning if not managed properly.
One major concern is that too much screen time can lead to reduced focus and engagement. To combat this, teachers can set clear digital boundaries, by using tech purposefully rather than for the sake of it. Structured screen breaks and a mix of digital and traditional teaching methods can help maintain engagement.
Another challenge is accessibility and digital equity. Not all students have access to the latest devices or fast internet at home, which can create disparities in learning. Schools can mitigate this by ensuring school-provided devices are easily available and by choosing platforms that are accessible across different devices.
Schools may also have limited resources for accessing cutting-edge edtech. At the end of the day, it’s about making the right choices for students in line with their educational needs. A good balance of tech with face-to-face teaching ensures students still benefit from hands-on guidance and emotional support when it’s needed.
By using technology intentionally and thoughtfully, teachers can ensure that its benefits far outweigh the downsides, creating an engaging, fair, and effective learning environment for all students.
As an education recruitment agency, we know how important it is for schools to have tech-savvy teachers who can embrace these innovations. If you’re looking to bring fresh talent into your school who understands the power of digital learning, we’re here to help!
At Future Education, we have 23 years of experience connecting talented educators with teacher jobs in South London schools. For help with hiring for Croydon teacher jobs, or finding a role where you can make a difference, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.
